Make Volunteers VIPS

In the course of doing some long overdue catching up our reading, we came across an article in the May issue of Associations Now that struck a chord. Cynthia D’Amour wrote an interesting piece titled, “How to Make Your Volunteers Feel like VIPs.” We all know that our organizations count on volunteers to thrive. The really good volunteers help us set our strategic direction and guide our organizations to future success. Do we do enough to thank them for their contribution? Do we do enough to make their jobs easier?

D’Amour includes some helpful tips in her article—ones that are relatively easy to implement.

Give volunteers prep materials several weeks in advance

Arrange a dinner for out-of-state travelers

Encourage and support participation and conversation from ALL participants

Acknowledge volunteers at opening cermonies

How else do you recognize your volunteers and help them to do a better job? Send us your thoughts. Visit www.asaecenter.org for access to the Cynthia D’Amour’s article.